URI Questions

Hi, my little guy was treated during the summer for URI, amoxicillian and eye ointment, it was pretty resiliant to the medication, but finally cleared up. Now he is showing the symptoms again! So here's my question, I thought I heard/read somewhere that this could be a chronic on again off again thing for some cats, is that true? Also how contagious is a URI to other cats? Are there different "strains" of respitory infections? Appreciate the help!



PS waiting for the vet to call me back!

I was about to say it depends on the infection type, bacterial or viral.
But I found a webpage that might better answer your questions.

Hope this helps

It's probably feline herpes (also called Rhinotracheitis -- brief mention on the aforementioned website).

Herpes responds well to an amino acid called l-Lysine. This can be purchased at a health food store. Buy the powdered form in capsules. Open the cap and sprinkle on food. Give 500 mg twice a day during flare-ups. G-I upset is a possible, though not frequent side-effect. If that happens, just discontinue.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Doc-n-SamsMom

Hi, my little guy was treated during the summer for URI, amoxicillian and eye ointment, it was pretty resiliant to the medication, but finally cleared up. Now he is showing the symptoms again! So here's my question, I thought I heard/read somewhere that this could be a chronic on again off again thing for some cats, is that true? Also how contagious is a URI to other cats? Are there different "strains" of respitory infections? Appreciate the help!



PS waiting for the vet to call me back!

Click to expand...

YUP definitely it can come back. My cat has had about 6 episodes in the 18 months I've had him. I've gotten to know what is normal for my cat and what is not normal. For him runny nose, eyes and sneezing is normal.
Coughing is the first sign he is getting really sick and then he will start throwing up. Additionally last month he had an asthma attack and a trip to the ER. My vet told me it CAN be transmitted to other cats. My other cat, who was 9 months when I got Rocky has never been ill. For him prednisone or anti-inflammatory shots do the trick, but the vet didn't start doing that until the third episode of major coughing.

Originally Posted by coaster

It's probably feline herpes (also called Rhinotracheitis -- brief mention on the aforementioned website).

Herpes responds well to an amino acid called l-Lysine. This can be purchased at a health food store. Buy the powdered form in capsules. Open the cap and sprinkle on food. Give 500 mg twice a day during flare-ups. G-I upset is a possible, though not frequent side-effect. If that happens, just discontinue.

Hope this helps.

Click to expand...

Very Helpful,Thanks a Bunch!